Madhur Jaffrey's Shrimp Biryani Recipe

Updated May 06, 2019

Biryani is a rice-based dish cooked with a whole mess of different spices, and usually, though not always, some kind of meat. When that meat is lamb or beef, it consequently takes some time to cook, which means I don't get to write about this dish too often. But this recipe from Madhur Jaffrey's At Home with Madhur Jaffrey solves that problem by using shrimp, so that this dish can be whipped up in less than hour with absolutely no shortcuts.

Not that any of the flavor is left behind. Shrimp are rubbed with a spice blend of cumin, turmeric, cayenne, salt, and pepper, before being sautéed and then removed. The rice then cooks in the same oil, so it picks up the spices and the shrimp flavor. Only at the very end are the rice and the shrimp mixed together, so that the shrimp stay plump and juicy.

Adapted from At Home with Madhur Jaffrey.

Recipe Details

Madhur Jaffrey's Shrimp Biryani Recipe

Active 30 mins

Total 60 mins

Serves 4 servings

Ingredients

2 cups basmati rice
1 pound medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, halved crossways
3 medium garlic cloves, minced (about 3 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt and black pepper
3 tablespoons canola oil
4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 2/3 cups low-sodium store bought or homemade chicken stock
4 cardamom pods

Directions

Toss rice into a mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the liquid that comes off the rice is clear. Transfer to a large bowl and cover with water. Set aside for 30 minutes. When done, drain rice.
Meanwhile, in a medium-sized bowl, combine the shrimp with garlic, cumin, turmeric, cayenne, 1/3 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper. Toss well. Set bowl aside for 3 minutes.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add shrimp and cook, stirring frequently until they are nearly opaque, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off heat. Using a slotted spoon, remove shrimp and place in a medium-sized bowl with lemon juice and cilantro. Mix well.
Pour chicken stock into pan and add cardamom seeds. Turn heat to high. Use a wooden spoon to dislodge any brown bits on pan. When liquid comes to a boil, add rice and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir well, and then cover the pan tightly, reduce heat to very low, and cook for 25 minutes.
Turn off heat. Remove the lid of the pan, and add shrimp and any juices that have accumulated in the bowl. Cover and set aside for a minute. Then stir the mixture gently, season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve in bowls.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
358	Calories
13g	Fat
26g	Carbs
32g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	358
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g	17%
Saturated Fat 2g	8%
Cholesterol 248mg	83%
Sodium 1508mg	66%
Total Carbohydrate 26g	10%
Dietary Fiber 1g	2%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 32g
Vitamin C 4mg	19%
Calcium 130mg	10%
Iron 2mg	12%
Potassium 310mg	7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.